Opinion + Newsnight | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/commentisfree+media/newsnight
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The sinister treatment of dissent at the BBC | Nick Cohenhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/08/bbc-whistleblowers-jimmy-savile
The whistleblowers who broke the Jimmy Savile story have seen their careers nosedive while executives protect their own status<p>Nobody from John Humphrys in the morning to Evan Davis at night dares mention a scandal at the BBC. It undermines their reporting of every abuse whistleblowers reveal. It reinforces the dirty common sense of British life that you must keep your head down if you want to keep your job.</p><p>The scandal is simply this: the BBC is forcing out or demoting the journalists who exposed <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/jimmy-savile" title="">Jimmy Savile</a> as a voracious abuser of girls. As <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/dec/19/liz-mackean-meirion-jones-newsnight-bbc" title="">Meirion Jones </a>put it to me: “There is a small group of powerful people at the BBC who think it would have been better if the truth about Savile had never come out. And they aim to punish the reporters who revealed it.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/08/bbc-whistleblowers-jimmy-savile">Continue reading...</a>BBCMediaJimmy SavileUK newsNewsnightSun, 08 Mar 2015 03:15:07 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/08/bbc-whistleblowers-jimmy-savilePhotograph: Jonathan Brady/PAPhotograph: Jonathan Brady/PANick Cohen2015-03-08T03:15:07ZBritain, don’t put your faith in Russell Brand’s revolution | Hadley Freemanhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/24/britain-russell-brand-revolution-newsnight
<p>The comedian’s excitable appearance on Newsnight this week betrayed the incoherence of his political views</p><p>Oh, Britain – have you not read your King James Bible recently? Permit a New York Jew to quote some to you: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.”</p><p>It is one such fruit that is up for discussion today: <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/russell-brand-admits-hes-open-minded-to-911-conspiracy-theories-in-combative-newsnight-interview-with-evan-davis-9815531.html" title="">Russell Brand’s interview on Newsnight</a> with Evan Davis on Thursday night. If you missed this because you were too busy washing your hair, I shall catch you up. As you doubtless remember, it was Brand’s appearance on Newsnight <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/dec/28/what-we-liked-2013-russell-brand-jeremy-paxman-newsnight" title="">exactly a year ago</a> that, after an article by him in the New Statesman, changed the popular perception of him as an amusing chap who confused a thesaurus with eloquence into the political prophet the country had been waiting for. In the cold light of 365 days later, it is not entirely clear why this happened. Perhaps somewhere in the New Testament the Lord sayeth, “And my son will return, and ye shall know him by his lack of fear of Jeremy Paxman.” But as I said, I am a Jew. So, well, don’t count on it.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/24/britain-russell-brand-revolution-newsnight">Continue reading...</a>Russell BrandCulturePoliticsUK newsNewsnightBBCMediaEvan DavisFri, 24 Oct 2014 19:05:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/24/britain-russell-brand-revolution-newsnightPhotograph: Olivia Harris/REUTERSRussell Brand performing his Messiah Complex show at Brixton Academy, London in March 2014. Photograph: Olivia Harris/REUTERSPhotograph: Olivia Harris/REUTERSRussell Brand performing his Messiah Complex show at Brixton Academy, London in March 2014. Photograph: Olivia Harris/REUTERSHadley Freeman2014-10-24T19:05:13ZWhat did Newsnight’s litmus test tell us about David Cameron’s values? | Open threadhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/30/newsnight-david-cameron-evan-davis-prime-minister-moderniser-conservative
Evan Davis tried to find out whether Cameron is a moderniser or socially conservative. What other questions would you have asked him?<p>Evan Davis, while interviewing David Cameron on his <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/sep/30/newsnight-evan-davis-cameron-review-paxman" title="">Newsnight debut</a>, sprang a litmus test on the prime minister to discover whether he was a moderniser or more socially conservative-with-a-small-c. (Watch it in the clip below, at nine minutes and 30 seconds in.)</p><p>When asked whether children should be primarily taught weight using the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/topic/imperial-and-metric" title="">metric or imperial system</a>, Cameron went for the latter, saying: “I think I would still go for pounds and ounces ... rather like we use miles and pints.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/30/newsnight-david-cameron-evan-davis-prime-minister-moderniser-conservative">Continue reading...</a>NewsnightDavid CameronEvan DavisPoliticsConservativesBBCMediaTue, 30 Sep 2014 10:24:59 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/30/newsnight-david-cameron-evan-davis-prime-minister-moderniser-conservativePhotograph: Luke Macgregor/ReutersEvan Davis concluded that David Cameron had given one conservative answer, one modernising answer and one that was midway. Photograph: Luke Macgregor/ReutersPhotograph: Luke Macgregor/ReutersEvan Davis concluded that David Cameron had given one conservative answer, one modernising answer and one that was midway. Photograph: Luke Macgregor/ReutersOpen thread2014-09-30T10:24:59ZPolitical interviews must be more than punch-ups | Steve Richardshttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/06/political-interviews-newsnight-ian-katz
Newsnight editor Ian Katz has said that the fiercely combative style of interview has had its day. Let’s hope that whatever replaces it captures the true thrill and drama of politics<p>Dull, predictable, formulaic political interviews are a big problem for those of us who believe that politics is far more exciting than it is perceived to be. The pattern is so familiar that most of us have stopped listening before the first question is answered, or perhaps asked. For three or four minutes, rarely longer, the interviewer tries to get politicians to answer a question. The politician cannot reply with candour without splitting their party or destroying their career. Some viewers and commentators hail the brave interviewer for seeking the “truth”. They loathe the evasiveness of the interviewee. But a lot of viewers are bored with the familiar and futile dynamic.</p><p>We should awake fleetingly from our stupor and offer a cautious round of applause to the editor of Newsnight, Ian Katz, who has proclaimed the death of the political interview as currently formulated. In an article for the Financial Times, Katz explains that he viewed again recently an interview with Labour’s Rachel Reeves after which he caused outrage by tweeting inadvertently that she had been “snoring boring”. Katz is careful not to be offensive to any interviewee or interviewer, but he states that on second viewing he found the interview as boring as he did when it was first broadcast. He goes on to draw wider conclusions about the pointless game of cat and mouse that produces robotic interviewees.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/06/political-interviews-newsnight-ian-katz">Continue reading...</a>PoliticsNewsnightMediaSat, 06 Sep 2014 06:00:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/06/political-interviews-newsnight-ian-katzPhotograph: Jeff Overs/BBC/PA'Jeremy Paxman and his many inauthentic imitators is part of the problem.' Photograph: Jeff Overs/BBC/PAPhotograph: Jeff Overs/BBC/PA'Jeremy Paxman and his many inauthentic imitators is part of the problem.' Photograph: Jeff Overs/BBC/PASteve Richards2014-09-06T06:00:09ZThe Guardian view on life beyond Jeremy Paxman | Editorialhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/18/guardian-view-life-beyond-jeremy-paxman
We'll miss the great interrogator, but the future of political interviewing will have to be very different<p>"Did you threaten to overrule him?" "You were told some time today clearly; was it before lunch or after lunch?" "You don't pray together for example?" Jeremy Paxman has spent decades fashioning questions into blades. In the process, he has become one of the most recognisable faces on the box; built a presenting career worth £1m a year, and struck fear into the hearts of generations of the junior ministers who make up Newsnight's regular post-theatre menu of grilled meats (sorry, guests). Tonight, Mr Paxman reads his final autocue on the programme he fronted for 25 years. Aptly, he will leave behind some questions of his own – this time, about how the media treats politics.</p><p>Mr Paxman has been instrumental in establishing the combative political interview as a box-office event – a nightly fireworks display. With his departure, there are perhaps one or two others who still practise the art: most obviously, John Humphrys on the Today programme, and Channel 4's Jon Snow. That there are so few others is partly down to the change in media. When Mr Paxman did his first presenting shift on Newsnight, in 1989, there were no rolling-news channels, no Twitter, no Facebook and TV-am was just six years old. If a cabinet minister wanted a hearing, they were practically obliged to go on late-night BBC2. Now a party leader might well opt for a morning soft sofa and some light tweeting.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/18/guardian-view-life-beyond-jeremy-paxman">Continue reading...</a>Jeremy PaxmanMediaNewsnightBBCPoliticsUK newsWed, 18 Jun 2014 18:27:24 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/18/guardian-view-life-beyond-jeremy-paxmanEditorial2014-06-18T18:27:24ZJeremy Paxman was always rude to me – but then he was rude to everyone | George Gallowayhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/18/jeremy-paxman-newsnight-george-galloway
I could look after myself on Newsnight when I faced Paxman, as I didn't care what he thought about me. Still, I respected him<p>The American writer HL Mencken said that the relationship between journalists and politicians should be akin to that of the dog and the lamp-post. Jeremy Paxman certainly took that to heart. We had some <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/may/16/politics.bbc" title="">memorable encounters</a> and he was very rude to me. But I never took it personally, because he was equally rude to people who are the opposite of me politically.</p><p>Paxman was a larger-than-life figure, and I'm sad <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/apr/30/jeremy-paxman-quit-newsnight-bbc" title="">to see him leave Newsnight</a>. He sometimes bordered on caricature, but always provided colour and verve. Critics worried that he made political interviewing too adversarial, but a bit of steel and sharpness are necessary. Newsnight would have been deadly dull on many an evening without him. It was sometimes dull even with him, but without him it really would have been snooze TV.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/18/jeremy-paxman-newsnight-george-galloway">Continue reading...</a>NewsnightPoliticsBBCMediaTV newsTelevision industryUK newsJeremy PaxmanWed, 18 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/18/jeremy-paxman-newsnight-george-gallowayPhotograph: Jeff Overs/BBC/PAJeremy Paxman, who is stepping down from Newsnight after 25 years. Photograph: Jeff Overs/BBC/PAPhotograph: Jeff Overs/BBC/PAJeremy Paxman, who is stepping down from Newsnight after 25 years. Photograph: Jeff Overs/BBC/PAGeorge Galloway2014-06-18T16:00:00ZJeremy Paxman's ultimate questions | Naomi McAuliffehttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/21/jeremy-paxman-questions-silvio-berlusconi-newsnight
He stunned the unstunnable Silvio Berlusconi. Clearly, nothing is now off limits for Newsnight's demob-happy grand inquisitor<p>In those last few days or weeks before leaving your job, most people just spend their time deleting incriminating emails and stealing stationery. If you don't think your future career will be harmed, or you're retiring, you might take the opportunity to tell everyone you work with exactly how much you hate them.</p><p>This is exactly where Jeremy Paxman seems to be since he announced his retirement from Newsnight. Unencumbered by the fear that the great and the good might refuse future interviews, he's asking the questions he has always wanted to ask. In doing so, he managed the stun the unembarrassable Silvio Berlusconi by asking whether he really called Angela Merkel an "unfuckable lard-arse".</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/21/jeremy-paxman-questions-silvio-berlusconi-newsnight">Continue reading...</a>GenderWorld newsWomen in politicsWomenJeremy PaxmanSilvio BerlusconiRichard ScudamoreWomen in the boardroomBBCNewsnightMediaPoliticsBusinessFootballUK newsWed, 21 May 2014 17:53:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/21/jeremy-paxman-questions-silvio-berlusconi-newsnightPhotograph: Jeff Overs/BBC/PA'So, Mr Berlusconi …' Jeremy Paxman at the helm of Newsnight – but not for much longer. Photograph: Jeff Overs/BBC/PAPhotograph: Jeff Overs/BBC/PA'So, Mr Berlusconi …' Jeremy Paxman at the helm of Newsnight – but not for much longer. Photograph: Jeff Overs/BBC/PANaomi McAuliffe2014-05-21T17:53:49ZThe post-Paxman style will still need that element of surprise | Gaby Hinsliffhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/02/post-paxman-surprise-fern-britton-battering-ram
Political interviews are getting harder. But sometimes the Fern Britton approach is more effective than Paxman's battering ram<p>Should you ever have been driven over slowly by a talking lorry, then you will already have an idea of how it feels to interview Gordon Brown. First would come the crushingly heavy wheels of his argument. Then he would reverse over you, beeping statistics. Only once you were road kill would he pause long enough for you to ask a question, for all the good that did. The lorry would simply unload whatever story it had previously decided to unload, with a crash, and that was that. But the infuriating thing was that once the tape was off, he could be riveting – a soaring intellect released, like a helium balloon when someone lets the string go.</p><p>It takes a battering ram to pierce the fortress mentality of too many modern politicians, trained in the defensive art of saying nothing, and Jeremy Paxman knew it. Newsnight's witchfinder general never forgot how it feels to be sitting at home, screaming "Just answer the question!" at the telly, which is <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/apr/30/jeremy-paxman-quit-newsnight-bbc" title="">why he will be so missed</a>. Few could hold a minister upside down by the ankles and shake until the truth falls out of their pockets with quite his panache.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/02/post-paxman-surprise-fern-britton-battering-ram">Continue reading...</a>Jeremy PaxmanMediaNewsnightBBCTelevisionTelevision industryPoliticsCultureUK newsFri, 02 May 2014 17:25:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/02/post-paxman-surprise-fern-britton-battering-ramPhotograph: Yui Mok/Press Association Ima‘Few could hold a minister upside down by the ankles and shake until the truth falls out of their pockets with quite Paxman's panache.’ Photograph: Yui Mok/Press AssociationPhotograph: Yui Mok/Press Association Ima‘Few could hold a minister upside down by the ankles and shake until the truth falls out of their pockets with quite Paxman's panache.’ Photograph: Yui Mok/Press AssociationGaby Hinsliff2014-05-02T17:25:00ZYes, Daily Mail – black and Asian women can be qualified to talk | Dreda Say Mitchellhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/24/daily-mail-black-asian-women-credentials-challenged
Two scientists were challenged over their right to speak on TV. Why are our credentials called into question so often?<p>Making assumptions about people, who they are and what they do, can be a problematic business. Those who come from old money can be famously careless about how they dress because they don't need to impress. So if you have half an eye on a news channel and there's an interviewee in a crumpled jacket and a shirt that could do with a good iron, it's probably unwise to assume it's a report about the homeless; it may well be a feature on country houses.</p><p>This tendency may explain why the Daily Mail's diarist, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/mar/21/daily-mail-accused-of-insulting-top-female-scientists" title="">Ephraim Hardcastle</a>, was a little confused last week by an item on Newsnight. He clearly thought the presence of two guests, one Asian, one black and both female, must mean the viewers were being given a hard time about racism again. When it became clear that they were there to discuss the origins of the universe, the confusion deepened. As Ephraim reminded us, it's white men who do all this serious science stuff, not females from ethnic minorities. The two experts were admirably well qualified, as the Mail subsequently admitted – <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2013/maggie-aderin-pocock.html" title="">Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock</a> is an honorary research associate in the UCL's department of physics and astronomy, and <a href="http://www.ucl.ac.uk/star/people/hpeiris.html" title="">Dr Hiranya Peiris</a> is a reader in astronomy in the same institution – so why were their expertise and skills being&nbsp;questioned?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/24/daily-mail-black-asian-women-credentials-challenged">Continue reading...</a>Race issuesDaily MailNewsnightMediaUK newsMon, 24 Mar 2014 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/24/daily-mail-black-asian-women-credentials-challengedPhotograph: GuardianDr Hiranya Peiris (left) and Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock on Newsnight. 'As Ephraim Hardcastle reminded us, it's white men who do all this serious science stuff, not females from ethnic minorities.' Photograph: GuardianPhotograph: GuardianDr Hiranya Peiris (left) and Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock on Newsnight. 'As Ephraim Hardcastle reminded us, it's white men who do all this serious science stuff, not females from ethnic minorities.' Photograph: GuardianDreda Say Mitchell2014-03-24T07:00:00ZTake note, BBC. Whistleblowers are good for you | Nick Cohenhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/18/bbc-whistleblowers-newsnight-savile-scandal
The Newsnight reporters in the Savile scandal were the corporation's true defenders<p>I'm sure that the BBC's managers will be appalled by the <em>Observer</em>'s revelation that <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/jimmy-savile" title="">Jimmy Savile</a> molested or raped hundreds – maybe a thousand – girls and boys. I have enough faith in their humanity to believe that the hairs on the back of their necks will stand on end when they read one of the victims' lawyers telling us: "Savile never had a quiet day."</p><p>Whether he was in the <em>Top of the Pops</em> studio or touring in a BBC camper van with a dirty mattress in the back, his dead eyes were always looking out for young, disadvantaged fans, so intimidated by his fame he could do anything to them.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/18/bbc-whistleblowers-newsnight-savile-scandal">Continue reading...</a>BBCJimmy SavileNewsnightMediaUK newsSat, 18 Jan 2014 21:48:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/18/bbc-whistleblowers-newsnight-savile-scandalPhotograph: Murdo Macleod/ObserverJimmy Savile, a 'national treasure' that no one could touch. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the ObserverPhotograph: Murdo Macleod/ObserverJimmy Savile, a 'national treasure' that no one could touch. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the ObserverNick Cohen2014-01-18T21:48:00ZThe one where a Friends star talks about drugs on Newsnight | Oscar Ricketthttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/17/friends-star-drugs-newsnight-matthew-perry-peter-hitchens
A debate on addiction with Matthew Perry and Peter Hitchens was dressed up as vital and intellectual but lacked any depth<p>The man who played the beloved sitcom character Chandler Bing, Matthew Perry, went <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/dec/17/matthew-perry-peter-hitchens-newsnight" title="">head-to-head</a> on Monday's Newsnight with the man who plays maligned pantomime villain Peter Hitchens. They were discussing drug courts, where former addicts sit as lay magistrates handling abuse-related crimes.</p><p>The Huffington Post called it a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/12/17/newsnight-matthew-perry_n_4457258.html?utm_hp_ref=tw" title="">"classic row"</a>. The Independent said it was <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/matthew-perry-sparks-furious-drug-debate-with-peter-hitchens-on-newsnight-9010323.html?hfghf" title="">"a moment Friends fans probably never thought they'd see"</a>. Actually, if they'd thought about it, they'd probably have realised that Perry and Hitchens leading the national debate on drugs policy is the logical conclusion to most of the UK media's reporting of anything medical or scientific; an end-of-days scenario that could only be improved if Matt Le Blanc stepped in for Perry, in character as sandwich-loving ladies' man Joey Tribbiani.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/17/friends-star-drugs-newsnight-matthew-perry-peter-hitchens">Continue reading...</a>NewsnightBBCMediaAlcoholismHealthSocietyEntertainmentPeter HitchensTue, 17 Dec 2013 17:02:33 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/17/friends-star-drugs-newsnight-matthew-perry-peter-hitchensPhotograph: Richard Gardner/Rex'Perry repeated the AA mantra that being addicted to something means that you are "allergic" to it. Hitchens disagreed.' Photograph: Richard Gardner/RexPhotograph: Richard Gardner/Rex'Perry repeated the AA mantra that being addicted to something means that you are "allergic" to it. Hitchens disagreed.' Photograph: Richard Gardner/RexOscar Rickett2013-12-17T17:02:33ZRussell Brand: we deserve more from our democratic systemhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/05/russell-brand-democratic-system-newsnight
Following his appearance on Newsnight, the comedian explains why he believes there are alternatives to our current regime<p>I've had an incredible week since I spoke from the heart, some would say via my arse, on Paxman. I've had slaps on the back, fist bumps, cheers and hugs while out and about, cock-eyed offers of political power from well intentioned chancers and some good ol' fashioned character assassinations in the papers.</p><p>The people who liked the interview said it was because I'd articulated what they were thinking. I recognise this. God knows I'd love to think the attention was about me but I said nothing new or original, it was the expression of the knowledge that democracy is irrelevant that resonated. As long as the priorities of those in government remain the interests of big business, rather than the people they were elected to serve, the impact of voting is negligible and it is our responsibility to be more active if we want real change.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/05/russell-brand-democratic-system-newsnight">Continue reading...</a>PoliticsNewsnightJeremy PaxmanRussell BrandCultureBBCMediaUK civil libertiesLawUK newsTue, 05 Nov 2013 17:57:53 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/05/russell-brand-democratic-system-newsnightPhotograph: BBCJeremy Paxman interviews Russell Brand on Newsnight. Photograph: BBCPhotograph: BBCJeremy Paxman interviews Russell Brand on Newsnight. Photograph: BBCRussell Brand2013-11-05T17:57:53ZThe question Jeremy Paxman should ask himself | Jonathan Freedlandhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/05/jeremy-paxman-russell-brand-question-politicians
It turns out Paxman shares Russell Brand's disillusion with politicians. But there are unelected people, wielding greater power, who rarely get the rotweiller treatment<p>So Jeremy Paxman and Russell Brand have more in common than fetching facial hair. It turns out that the Newsnight anchor agreed with the comedian more than he let on when <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YR4CseY9pk" title="">the pair sparred in a YouTube-ready exchange</a> that centred on Brand's disillusion with the democratic process. "I think part of Russell Brand's diagnosis is right," <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/nov/05/paxman-politics-russell-brand-voting" title="">Paxman confesses</a> in the latest edition of the Radio Times. "There is a huge sense of disillusion out there."</p><p>Some will react to that the way they would to a complaint by Miley Cyrus about the sexualisation of young female musicians: you should know, because you're part of the problem. For if politicians are held in low regard, if not outright contempt, then some responsibility surely belongs to those from the rottweiler school of interviewing who cannot look at an elected official without dripping disdain. Those who watch Paxman, or listen to the Today programme's John Humphrys, can hardly be blamed for picking up some of that cynical attitude to the Westminster classes, which regards anyone who's won an election as automatically suspect. Recall Paxman's <a href="http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/571500/" title="">description of his own mindset</a> when interviewing a politician: "I am always asking myself why is this lying bastard lying to me?"</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/05/jeremy-paxman-russell-brand-question-politicians">Continue reading...</a>Russell BrandPoliticsNewsnightMediaJeremy PaxmanTue, 05 Nov 2013 13:20:42 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/05/jeremy-paxman-russell-brand-question-politiciansPhotograph: BBCJeremy Paxman interviews Russell Brand on Newsnight. Photograph: BBCPhotograph: BBCJeremy Paxman interviews Russell Brand on Newsnight. Photograph: BBCJonathan Freedland2013-11-05T13:20:42ZWhen a woman says she's not feminist, we can do better than shout her down | Ruby Tandohhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/01/woman-feminist-shout-down-ruby-tandoh
Rather than put our palm to our face when people say blow-dried hair precludes their being a feminist, let's listen and make the movement more inclusive<p>"Absolutely not: I definitely wouldn't call myself a feminist," began Angela Epstein on Newsnight on Tuesday. Answering a question from presenter Emily Maitlis about whether she'd describe herself as a feminist, the journalist and broadcaster offered up a wistful eulogy to the ghosts of feminism past and bemoaned the deterioration of the movement. Apparently one woman under the king's horse was more than enough to secure feminist victory for all time. Women, she reminded us, now have the vote! Some women have even got the vote, a career and shiny hair. This is great news, but someone really ought to pass it on to the "grumpy women in bad clothes" who, according to Epstein, have bastardised feminism and committed the even graver offence of being poorly coiffed in the process.</p><p>There's no need to defend feminism from tired arguments such as this. Epstein was invited on Newsnight alongside Mary Beard and Natasha McElhone to provide the obligatory counterpoint to the feminist strand of the debate. And she is patently wrong. The imbalanced distribution of wealth and power between men and women is proof enough of feminism's legitimacy. And for those who still need convincing, personal testimony – via movements such as <a href="http://everydaysexism.com/" title="">Everyday Sexism</a> – paints an even more vivid picture of the prejudices that today's feminists have to combat.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/01/woman-feminist-shout-down-ruby-tandoh">Continue reading...</a>FeminismWomenNewsnightSexParents and parentingFri, 01 Nov 2013 12:52:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/01/woman-feminist-shout-down-ruby-tandohPhotograph: Alamy'I have heard young women say that they wouldn’t be a feminist because they love their boyfriends or because they like to look sexy.' Photograph: AlamyPhotograph: Alamy'I have heard young women say that they wouldn’t be a feminist because they love their boyfriends or because they like to look sexy.' Photograph: AlamyRuby Tandoh2013-11-01T12:52:01ZCould Russell Brand stop clowning around and be Britain's Beppe Grillo? | Christopher Goodfellowhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/25/russell-brand-revolution-britain-beppe-grillo
Like Italy's comedian-cum-politician, Brand is showing he has the political acumen and energy to lead a popular revolution – but he hasn't put the work in yet<p>Could Russell Brand lead the revolution he's prophesying? It's easy to dismiss the comedian's often-whimsical contribution to public discourse, but he has some of the hallmarks of Europe's most successful comedian-cum-politician, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/beppe-grillo" title="">Beppe Grillo</a>.</p><p>This isn't about Brand joining the boorish, shaggy-haired Boris Johnson as a loveable goofball in a mainstream party. What's more interesting is to ask if he could ape the success of Beppe, the Italian clown prince who galvanised political discontent and built Italy's third biggest party.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/25/russell-brand-revolution-britain-beppe-grillo">Continue reading...</a>Russell BrandCulturePoliticsBeppe GrilloWorld newsNewsnightMediaNew StatesmanFri, 25 Oct 2013 15:02:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/25/russell-brand-revolution-britain-beppe-grilloPhotograph: New Statesman/PARussell Brand holding the front cover of the revolution-themed New Statesman he guest edited. Photograph: New Statesman/PAPhotograph: New Statesman/PARussell Brand holding the front cover of the revolution-themed New Statesman he guest edited. Photograph: New Statesman/PAChristopher Goodfellow2013-10-25T15:02:49ZBeing unentertaining is the least of our politicians' shortcomings | David Mitchellhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/15/newsnight-boring-politicians-shortcomings-mitchell
Yes, Rachel Reeves was boring on Newsnight, but that's true of all MPs who turn up on TV<p>We often change how we express ourselves depending on whom we're talking to. Or who we're talking to. I might say "who" or "whom" depending on who, or to whom, I'm talking (to). Meanwhile my mum, who's Welsh but has lost the accent, unconsciously puts it on again when talking to Welsh people on the phone. I think it sounds like she's taking the&nbsp;piss.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/15/newsnight-boring-politicians-shortcomings-mitchell">Continue reading...</a>PoliticsNewsnightTelevision & radioUK newsSat, 14 Sep 2013 23:06:55 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/15/newsnight-boring-politicians-shortcomings-mitchellPhotograph: David FoldvariIllustration by David Foldvari. Photograph: David FoldvariPhotograph: David FoldvariIllustration by David Foldvari. Photograph: David FoldvariDavid Mitchell2013-09-14T23:06:55ZYou should have heard Jeremy Paxman grill Gandhi | John Cracehttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/may/21/jeremy-paxman-tim-peake-astronaut-grilling
After his surreally combative interview with astronaut Tim Peake, here are some earlier Paxo grillings you may have missed<p>Tim Peake, the British astronaut who is due to spend six months on the Soyuz space station in 2015, became one of Jeremy Paxman's least likely victims in <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b01sl8pc/?t=28m07s" title="">a combative interview on Newsnight</a> in which the presenter suggested that space travel was merely a waste of taxpayers' money. "What's the point?", Paxo wearily asked. <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/further-space-oddity-jeremy-paxman-grills-british-astronaut-major-tim-peake-in-weirdly-aggressive-newsnight-interview-8625333.html" title="">"You're just drifting around, aren't you?"</a>. Here are the transcripts of some other Newsnight interviews you may have missed.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/may/21/jeremy-paxman-tim-peake-astronaut-grilling">Continue reading...</a>Jeremy PaxmanMediaNewsnightBBCTim PeakeTue, 21 May 2013 14:04:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/may/21/jeremy-paxman-tim-peake-astronaut-grillingPhotograph: BBCJeremy Paxman asked astronaut Tim Peake ‘what's the point?' of his space mission. Photograph: BBCPhotograph: BBCJeremy Paxman asked astronaut Tim Peake ‘what's the point?' of his space mission. Photograph: BBCJohn Crace2013-05-21T14:04:20ZIraq must not blind us to Blair's skill and seriousness | Martin Kettlehttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/feb/28/iraq-must-not-blind-us-to-blair
If we use the war to rubbish the former PM's record, we brush aside the still relevant dilemmas he grappled with at home<p>Tony Blair inevitably cuts a much-diminished figure these days. It is eight years since he last fought an election, and nearly six since he left British politics. He, we and the world have all moved on, thank goodness. Partly by choice, partly through circumstance, he&nbsp;leads an existence remote from the world the rest of us still inhabit. He no longer matters much in the dynamics of British politics, and the remoteness means this is unlikely to change.</p><p>The 10th anniversary of the Iraq invasion has inevitably thrust Blair briefly back into the national conversation. Even so, his <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21576509" title="">Newsnight interview on Iraq this week</a> felt an oddly ghostly affair, with Blair going through the motions of the old arguments, a bit like an ageing rock star rehashing his back catalogue, but unable and unwilling to say the one thing he should say – that he got Iraq wrong. Doubtless the same thing will happen when the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/iraq-war-inquiry" title="">Chilcot inquiry</a> finally sees the light of day.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/feb/28/iraq-must-not-blind-us-to-blair">Continue reading...</a>LabourEastleigh byelectionPoliticsTony BlairNewsnightEconomic policyEconomic growth (GDP)Thu, 28 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/feb/28/iraq-must-not-blind-us-to-blairPhotograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA‘It does no favours to any serious political project of the left to continue to behave as though Blair was simply unspeakable, and the alternatives obvious and straightforward.' Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPAPhotograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA‘It does no favours to any serious political project of the left to continue to behave as though Blair was simply unspeakable, and the alternatives obvious and straightforward.' Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPAMartin Kettle2013-02-28T07:00:00ZThe BBC's cringing must stop | Robin Lustighttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/dec/19/at-bbc-deputy-heads-will-roll
Deputy heads will now roll at the corporation. But the ugly hybrid that is the BBC Trust is the real problem<p>Let's get the obvious out of the way first: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/dec/19/pollard-inquiry-bbc-jimmy-savile" title="">the BBC makes mistakes</a>. Sometimes they are small ones, sometimes they are big ones – and sometimes it looks as if the biggest mistakes the BBC makes is in how it deals with its mistakes.</p><p>As <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/news/press_releases/2012/pollard_review.html?intcmp=239" title="">Nick Pollard</a> couldn't help but notice in his review, reported today, the most worrying aspect of the whole sorry tale of Newsnight's decision not to run its Jimmy Savile investigation was the BBC's "complete inability to deal with the events that followed" once the crisis erupted.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/dec/19/at-bbc-deputy-heads-will-roll">Continue reading...</a>NewsnightBBCMediaPeter RipponGeorge EntwistleJimmy SavileWed, 19 Dec 2012 20:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/dec/19/at-bbc-deputy-heads-will-rollPhotograph: Wpa Pool/Getty ImagesNick Pollard announces the findings of his report into the BBC's handling of allegations against former employee Jimmy Savile. Photograph: Wpa Pool/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Wpa Pool/Getty ImagesNick Pollard announces the findings of his report into the BBC's handling of allegations against former employee Jimmy Savile. Photograph: Wpa Pool/Getty ImagesRobin Lustig2012-12-19T20:30:00ZWhy can't Newsnight take youth culture seriously? | Lanre Bakarehttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/dec/06/newsnight-youth-culture
Establishment journalism often comes to the party late, as a middle-aged uncle who doesn't really understand<p>The establishment is down with youth culture. It's lolling all over it. It's coming at ya like Cleopatra, it's got outdated cultural references aplenty and it isn't scared to use them; in short – it's becoming an embarrassment.</p><p>But could it be that being old, out of touch and embarrassing is exactly the angle Newsnight and other mainstream news outlets are going for? They've been taking on more youth issues recently, but instead of dealing with them in the same way they would any "serious" topic, they've adopted a comic, knowingly cringeworthy approach.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/dec/06/newsnight-youth-culture">Continue reading...</a>NewsnightMusicBBCMediaCultureYoung peopleSocietyThu, 06 Dec 2012 17:59:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/dec/06/newsnight-youth-culturePhotograph: Roger Kisby/Getty ImagesOdd Future, who were interviewed by Newsnight's Stephen Smith in his 'stuffy British bloke on a cultural voyage' role. Photograph: Roger Kisby/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Roger Kisby/Getty ImagesOdd Future, who were interviewed by Newsnight's Stephen Smith in his 'stuffy British bloke on a cultural voyage' role. Photograph: Roger Kisby/Getty ImagesLanre Bakare2012-12-06T17:59:01Z